Monday, November 22, 2021

QOTD -- In Support Of The Freedom To Vote Act


"If Congress fails to pass the Freedom to Vote Act, American democracy will be at critical risk. Not only could this failure undermine the minimum condition for electoral democracy—free and fair elections—but it would in turn likely result in an extended period of minority rule, which a majority of the country would reject as undemocratic and illegitimate. This would have grave consequences not only for our democracy, but for political order, economic prosperity, and the national security of the United States as well.

"Defenders of democracy in America still have a slim window of opportunity to act. But time is ticking away, and midnight is approaching. To lose our democracy but preserve the filibuster in its current form—in which a minority can block popular legislation without even having to hold the floor—would be a short-sighted blunder that future historians will forever puzzle over. The remarkable history of the American system of government is replete with critical, generational moments in which liberal democracy itself was under threat, and Congress asserted its central leadership role in proving that a system of free and fair elections can work. 

"We urge the Senate to suspend the filibuster rule for this measure and pass the Freedom to Vote Act. This would uphold the Senate's noblest tradition of preserving and strengthening American democracy." -- a portion of a letter (pdf) signed by more than 100 democracy scholars supporting the Freedom to Vote Act, and warning of the "great peril and risk" we face due to Big Lie - engendered voter suppression/ election overriding bills being passed by Republican cultists in some States.

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